The first divergence as it came to be called was, according to the Xilibanal Elves around 15 million years ago. They called it the Great Awakening and consider it to be the birth of the race at the hands of the Archfey Cherburius. This is estimated and attested to through the lore of their people, as explained by the dramatic play from the High Elf Telotecan that illustrates the oral myth of an agent of the Fey, Puck, coming as their herald, and informing them that their very creation had been a crime against nature. As such they were owed recompense, and Puck taught them a great many things about utilizing the mana and energies they'd been exposed to through their connections with the Feywild.
Author's Note: The play is quite long. Often performed on ceremonial holidays and can last up to 5 nights of shows from beginning to end.